Spine Surgery

Contents

Virginia's Spine Surgery Specialists

Neurosurgeons

Neurosurgeons are instrumental in the surgical treatment of spinal
disorders, and in fact, over two-thirds of all surgeries performed by
neurosurgeons are for spine disorders and injuries. Our spine surgeons
provide intensive education to patients, and maintain close working
relationships with referring physicians by keeping them apprised of
their patients' initial visits, hospital stays, and follow-up
visits.

Learn More:

Treatment

Treatment of spinal disorders
requires a multidisciplinary approach involving UVa’s neurosurgeons, as
well as the patient’s physician and physical therapists, chiropractors,
massage therapists, acupuncturists and pain management specialists.
This collaborative approach sometimes means that surgery can be
avoided. However, if pain persists despite extensive non-surgical
treatment – or if surgery is the most appropriate first option – our
nationally recognized spine surgeons are well-versed in all current
techniques and are aided by a top-flight nursing staff.

Most patients with spine disease will go through three phases of care:
presentation, diagnosis and treatment. Patients typically present to
their family physician with back or neck pain which may radiate into
the leg or arm. Depending on a patient’s condition, the symptoms may be
treated first by their primary care doctor, commonly with
non-steroidal, anti-inflammatory agents such as ibuprofen, naproxen,
etc. At other times an imaging study is necessary to make a diagnosis,
after which the most appropriate treatment can be determined. The
majority of spinal afflictions can be treated with a combination of
medicine, physical therapy and other remedies such as chiropractic
manipulation or exercise.

When pain persists despite these treatments, a referral for surgery
may be appropriate. In determining whether surgery is necessary, our
doctors take many factors into consideration including imaging studies,
a physical exam and the patient’s desire for pain relief. The decision
to proceed with surgery is a collaborative process between the patient,
the referring physician and UVa’s neurosurgery team, made after a
thorough discussion of the risks, benefits and probable outcomes.

Our team takes as much time as necessary to go over any questions or
concerns, as well as to discuss in detail the patient’s condition.
Physicians from UVa will also continue to work with the patient and the
referring physician after surgery to shorten the recovery period with
the goal of resuming normal activity as soon as possible.

Minimally Invasive Spine Treatment

In addition to these more traditional surgeries, Vertebroplasty and
Kyphoplasty were developed as minimally
invasive treatments. In Vertebroplasty, a small amount of orthopedic
cement, called polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA), is pushed through a
needle into the vertebral body. The cement hardens quickly, and within
a few hours, patients are up and moving around. In addition to
relieving pain, those vertebral bodies that are weakened but not yet
fractured can be strengthened. Kyphoplasty uses balloons to expand the
space where the cement is injected, which can restore height to the
spine and help reduce deformity.